Stiftskirche Nonnberg, Gothic church at Festungsberg hill, Salzburg, Austria
Stiftskirche Nonnberg is a Gothic church located on a hilltop overlooking Salzburg, built with pointed arches and decorative stonework that define its appearance. Inside, a carved winged altar dominates the space with a central statue of Mary surrounded by detailed figures and ornamental details.
This church was founded in the early 700s and underwent major rebuildings after devastating fires in 1006 and 1423. The reconstruction efforts shaped its present Gothic form, which has endured for nearly 6 centuries.
The name Nonnberg refers to the nuns who have inhabited this hilltop convent for over a thousand years, shaping the identity of the entire community. Their daily liturgical practices remain woven into the life of the place today.
You can reach this church by climbing the steep Nonnbergstiege staircase from Kaigasse or by walking through the lanes of Nonntal. The site opens early in the morning to accommodate the daily liturgical practices.
Beneath the altar lies a crypt with freestanding columns and an intricate reticulated vault system that most visitors never discover. This hidden chamber also holds the burial place of an early abbess who led the community.
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